The Entire Mountain Is My Hunting Ground

When Granny Xu uttered the two words, "Big Claw," Xu Changlin quickly reached out and squeezed her arm. But she seemed not to feel it at all, spilling out everything she wanted to say.

Zhao Jun found it a little hard to believe. He shot Xu Changlin a surprised glance, and considering the conversation he’d overheard outside earlier, he couldn’t help but wonder.

In his past life, he hadn’t started hunting yet around this time. But then one day, he heard someone say they had seen the Mountain King in the mountains. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

From that day on, Hunters from all the villages for miles around rushed into the mountains, saying they were going to pay their respects to the Mountain God.

’This might actually be true.’

After all, there was a belief that the Tiger was the Mountain God. If you saw one pass, you were supposed to kowtow in the direction it departed.

Zhao Jun glanced at Xu Changlin, then said to the old woman, "Alright, Granny Xu. If I hear anything in the mountains, I’ll come over and let you know."

After that, Zhao Jun exchanged a few more pleasantries with the old couple, then got up to take his leave.

Xu Changlin walked Zhao Jun to the door. Zhao Jun paused, then said to the old man, "Master Xu, you’re an old Cannon Shooter, so a junior like me shouldn’t be saying this. But that Big Claw... it’s not something we can handle."

Xu Changlin fell silent. After four or five seconds, a wry smile appeared on his face. "My boy, at my age, I can’t hunt anymore. I was actually thinking that if I found that thing, I’d come find you to take care of it."

"Don’t even think about it." Zhao Jun waved his hand dismissively. "Master Xu, you’re Elder Xu Pao, you should know better than anyone. I’ve heard all the old-timers from your generation say it: Big Claw comes and goes like the wind. That time at the Forest Farm, my dad and the others were lying in wait, and it still took a monumental effort to finally kill it. If we go into the mountains... forget about hunting it. If it just sets its sights on you, all it has to do is hide and wait, then pounce when you least expect it. Even with a semi-automatic, it’d tear you to pieces."

At this, Zhao Jun waved his hand again. "Master Xu, let’s get this straight. I’m not going. You’ll have to find someone else."

Zhao Jun turned and walked away without another word, not looking back even as Xu Changlin called out behind him.

He wasn’t saying this to talk up the Tiger and put himself down. Rather, in his past life, while trading Ginseng in Rakshasa, he had personally ventured deep into the old-growth forests of Lesozavodsk to harvest Ginseng.

There, he had seen Big Claw on more than one occasion. He knew even better than Xu Changlin just how formidable the Mountain King was.

After leaving Xu Changlin’s place, Zhao Jun didn’t head home. Instead, he went to Zhang Yuanmin’s house.

He owed Zhang Yuanmin for the introduction that allowed him to bring Black Dragon back from Yongfu. Now that he was back, he felt he should let the man know.

As Zhao Jun neared Zhang Yuanmin’s house, he saw Yang Yufeng and Han Shang standing by the door, talking about something.

Zhao Jun got closer and heard Han Shang saying, "It’s no use telling me this. Two years ago, your mother-in-law, Aunt Yang, ran up a big bill at the clinic. Your husband, Brother Zhang, said he’d pay it, but he still hasn’t. I’m in a tough spot here..."

Han Shang shook his head as he spoke.

Listening from the side, Zhao Jun heard everything clearly and immediately understood the situation.

’It must be that Zhang Yuanmin owes the clinic for medical bills. He’s short on cash right now, so Han Shang has come to collect. Normally, in a small village where everyone is practically family, you wouldn’t worry about someone not repaying a few bucks in medical fees. Besides, Zhang Yuanmin isn’t the type to skip out on his debts; his family is just in a really tough spot. He’s a devoted son. Before his father passed away, he was coughing up blood, and Zhang Yuanmin spent a fortune trying to get him treated. Then, Yang Yufeng’s mother got sick. Even though he’s just the son-in-law, Zhang Yuanmin didn’t hesitate to take on his mother-in-law’s clinic bills as well. Zhang Yuanmin doesn’t have a steady job. Besides farming, his only other income is from hunting deer for their velvet in April and May, selling the deer goods to make some money. If he weren’t so broke, he wouldn’t risk his life going after a Black Bear’s Den time and time again. Logically, the debt could wait a bit longer. But based on how Han Shang treated the Zhao and Li families differently before, it was clear he was the type to kiss up and kick down.’

"Doctor Han," Yang Yufeng said, looking mortified. "Lingdang’s father is almost healed. Spring is just around the corner. As soon as he can hunt deer this spring, we’ll settle the clinic’s bill. Would that be okay?"

"Well..."

Han Shang frowned, about to say something else, but then he suddenly spotted Zhao Jun walking over.

"Out for a walk, Zhao Jun?" Han Shang called out in greeting.

Hearing his voice, Yang Yufeng quickly turned. Seeing Zhao Jun, she forced a smile onto her flushed face. "You’re back, brother?"

Zhao Jun nodded to Yang Yufeng and said with a smile, "Got back yesterday afternoon. I was just passing by and thought I’d drop in to see my big brother."

"Then hurry on in." Yang Yufeng gestured toward the courtyard. "Your big brother is resting on the kang."

Zhao Jun knew she meant well, but he stayed put and asked Han Shang, "Doctor Han, how much does my big brother owe you?"

Han Shang’s expression flickered. He had greeted Zhao Jun first, but Zhao Jun had ignored him and responded to Yang Yufeng instead.

Furthermore, Zhao Jun used to call him Brother Han, but now it was just Doctor Han. Meanwhile, he was calling Zhang Yuanmin ’big brother’. That alone said a lot.

Just then, Han Shang seemed to recall that Zhao Jun’s family had hosted a dinner before the New Year, and they had invited Zhang Yuanmin’s family.

At this thought, Han Shang felt a pang of irritation. He asked Zhao Jun, "What’s this, Zhao Jun? You going to settle their bill for them?"

"Brother, you..." At his side, Yang Yufeng looked quickly at Zhao Jun, about to speak, but he cut her off. "I’ll cover my big brother’s bill," Zhao Jun said. "Doctor Han, just tell me the total."